“That really is an expression of coming together. I mean true, sincere coming together,” Garrett, part Cherokee from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the recently retired director of the Carteret County Health Department, said. “Not just people meeting, but people coming together in heart, mind and spirit.”

Garrett retired from his post on Feb. 1 after nearly 17 years. His goal was to bring the community together to improve public health.

“Every day was exciting to me,” Garrett said. “I looked forward to every day serving the county.”

“I’m most proud of the dental program,” Garrett said, referencing the mobile dental unit, Miles of Smiles, which has provided thousands of Carteret County children with preventive dental care. “It took a total partnership and community effort to bring that together. That was bringing into the county over a half a million dollars in assets for a dental program and it only serves children - it serves the children in our schools.”

Because Carteret County serves as a port authority, as the health department’s director Garrett was responsible of ensuring diseases did not reach land from the water from incoming ships.

He also spearheaded a number of public health campaigns such as the importance of vaccines and informing the public about Vibrio vulnificus - bacteria in water which could harm those fishing, swimming or eating oysters.

Garrett said his favorite part of his day as director was giving toy cars and teddy bears to children who came in to get shots.

“Seeing a child who’s about ready to cry - I love disease prevention, but it’s the memory I love more of giving them the teddy bear or the Hot Wheels car,” he said.

Environmental Health Program Specialist/Animal Control Supervisor Curtis Oden Jr. has known Garrett since he came to the health department.

“From the beginning I found Dr. Garrett believed in working for all his employees and that he liked working as a team player,” Oden said, noting that Garrett oversaw getting the Health Department to its present building in Morehead City.

Oden said Garrett put a lot of emphasis on disease prevention; he focused on Breast and Cervical Cancer prevention; he was also very involved in senior citizens programs in the community.

Oden also assisted Garrett with overseeing several adults Garrett was appointed by the courts as a guardian.

“He spent a lot of time making sure their personal and physical well-beings were seen to,” Oden said.

Oden said he treasures Garrett’s leadership and friendship. He said Garrett had an open-door policy, he kept his staff informed, and his theme in the office was always working together as a team.

Page 2 of 2 - “He always would listen before he would make a decision,” Oden said. “He always talked about working together. If you worked as a team player, you didn’t have a problem with Dr. Garrett.”

Before working in Carteret County, Garrett served in the Navy, was a commissioned officer in the U.S. Public Health Service, a hospital administrator and Director of Health Care Administration for the Indian Health Service.

Garrett is also a published author, having written seven books related to medicine, spirituality and his Cherokee heritage, whose proceeds benefit the Cherokee Children’s Home.

When Garrett announced his retirement to the health department management team, Public Information Officer Mary Fournier said he gathered the whole management team so they could hear it at the same time. He then went around the room, telling each person how much he appreciated him or her, according to Fournier.

A search for a new health director has not started yet, according to department officials.

“Aside from the day to day work at the Health Department, Dr. Garrett also did a lot of public health work (and) community outreach work that took place after hours and outside of the office that few knew about,” Fournier said. “He was never one to draw attention to himself.”

Garrett said he plans on doing more volunteer work - with health-related activities as well as others - now that he is retired. A National Senior Games discus thrower himself, he said he would like to work with middle and high school kids involved in track and field. He also plans to do health-related consulting and spend more time with his family.

There is no doubt in his mind though: Garrett said he has had a fulfilling career.